A complementary business mix that supports the needs of area residents and civic organizations,

The appeal of rich historical qualities melded with modern day development, and

A vibrant social scene offering spaces favorable for community gatherings, which will attract patronage from beyond our region.

We look forward to working with all of you to keep our neighborhood strong and vibrant. If you would like to get involved in Greater Ashmont MS, please consider joining one of our committees or otherwise volunteering!

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Boston Main Streets

In 1995, Boston challenged the National Trust for Historic Preservation to expand its National Main Street model. The result was Boston Main Streets, the first urban, multi-district Main Street program in the United States. Boston Main Streets now brings the technical knowledge of business district revitalization to twenty Boston business districts, including six in Dorchester (Bowdoin Geneva, Fields Corner, Four Corners, Greater Ashmont, Grove Hall, and Uphams Corner).

Each district receives financial and technical assistance and intensive training in the Main Street approach from the City of Boston Main Streets office and the National Main Street Center. In turn, each Main Street organization hires a full time Executive Director, raises matching funds, and implements its programs according to an annual work plan.

Boston Main Streets districts follow a four-point comprehensive approach that creates and sustains the district’s image: 1) community organization, 2) promotion, 3) design and 4) economic vitality. Specific Main Street activities and operations include storefront improvement grants, public enhancements, local promotional and fund-raising events such as road races, parades, auctions, multi-cultural festivals, and holiday shopping events, all of which strategically aim to enhance the image of the business district and attract consumers. Using the Main Street four-point approach, district staff and volunteers draw upon the skills and experience of the local stakeholders to revitalize the district.

The City of Boston commits a significant portion of its federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the Boston Main Streets program. In addition, the City of Boston commits full-time staff to assist the local districts in many aspects of their programs. Local districts also have access to city architects, design staff, transportation planners, and technical assistance specialists, and design assistance from local architecture firms in the form of Design Hours under a contract administered by the City. Boston Main Streets also provides workshops and trainings to Main Street staff and volunteers.

Qualitatively, the overall goal of the Boston Main Streets program is to improve the quality of life in Boston’s neighborhoods. The vitality of a neighborhood’s business district is critical to the health of the neighborhood as a whole and for that reason all sectors of the community are involved with each Main Street organization. Stakeholders include residents, business and property owners, public and private institutions, community development corporations, and merchant associations.

Organizational History

Greater Ashmont Main Street was designated as one of Boston’s Main Street Districts in the summer of 1999. It was originally called St. Mark’s Area Main Street, but went through a formal re-branding process starting in 2014, including the organizational name change, which became final in 2016. Our commercial district includes more than 130 businesses in almost 400,000 square feet of commercial and institutional space, and serves more than 30,000 residents, workers and commuters.

Board of Directors

Philippe Saad, President (2019)

Tom Carroll, Vice President (2019)

Jack Wu, Treasurer (2019)

Peg Ecclesine, Clerk (2018)

Bryan Bryson (2020)

Steve Datish (2019)

Jeff Gonyeau (2018)

Joshua Johnson (2020)

Charles Maneikis (2018)

Erica Mattison (2018)

Hiep Q. Nguyen (2020)

Len Osborne (2019)

Lynn Sanders (2020)

Steve Wilkins (2018)

Michael Wilson (2020)

Judene Williams (2020)

Staff

Jenn Cartee

Executive Director

Jenn Cartee serves as Executive Director of Greater Ashmont. She is a long-time Dorchester resident, with experience in law and community organizing.

Joshua Wilson

Program Assistant

Josh joined the Greater Ashmont Team in the Fall of 2016 and is excited about uses his leadership and organizational skills for the good of the neighborhood.

Contact Us

Our Committees

Other Members include the elected Vice-President, Treasurer, and Clerk, plus appointed task force groups as needed

Meets monthly on the First Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Greater Ashmont MS Offices

Manages the Greater Ashmont Main Street organization itself and facilitates inter-organizational relations with Boston Main Streets, the City of Boston, the Commonwealth, our elected officials, other Main Street organizations, and other community actors

Meets monthly on the Fourth Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Greater Ashmont MS Offices

Works to foster a clean, vibrant, inviting business district by implementing clean streets initiatives, improving and ensuring maintenance of open/green space, increasing and promoting public art, and partnering with business owners to create welcoming storefronts.

Meets monthly on the Second Friday at 8:00am in the Greater Ashmont MS Offices

Works to promote positive development in the district by leading the community input process on major development projects such as the Ashmont Station renovations and the Trinity Financial Transit-Oriented Development project at the station; working with the City on a design study for infrastructure improvements; working with the Boston Redevelopment Authority on the Dorchester Avenue Project; and originating and co-sponsoring community charrettes as needed

Meets monthly on the Second Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Greater Ashmont MS Offices

Promotes our Main Street program and district through outreach to other neighborhood groups; recruiting new members to Greater Ashmont MS; publicizing the program in the media; and sponsoring and participating in events like the Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers Market, Dorchester Day, and other events that help bring our community together

Works to bridge the gap between government and corporate funding and our total expenses, holding several fundraising events throughout the year, as well as assisting the Executive Director in writing grant applications as opportunities arise.

Meets every other month on the 1st or 2nd Tuesday at 8:30am in the Greater Ashmont MS Offices; hosts a Business Updates Breakfast at Ashmont Grill during the months in between (7:00 – 8:30am)

Promotes and steers economic development in the Greater Ashmont MS business district consistent with our Vision Statement by recruiting businesses that show market potential; facilitating meetings between prospective businesses and building owners; referring owners and tenants to sources of financial and technical assistance; and building relationships with property and business owners.

Seeking business people, graphic designers, and people with financial and real estate experience to:

Design and produce marketing materials for Greater Ashmont MS

Organize and recruit speakers for bi-monthly Business Breakfast events

Expand direct business recruitment by targeting specific businesses to attract to the district

Assist the Executive Director in maintaining a database for retail vacancies and rental rates

Assist the Executive Director in promoting and facilitating participation in the City of Boston programs designed to support small businesses

🥕 Spring Brook Farm of Littleton will be selling heirloom tomatoes, beans, squash, eggs, Carlisle Honey, preserves, meat, gourmet mushrooms from Fat Moon and more!
🥖 Fornax Bread Company will be available with boules, baguettes, baguette, batards, and twists.
🐟 EverGreen Delivery will be offering Red's Best fish from local dayboat fishermen including Tuna, Striped Bass, Halibut and Scallops as well as Boston Smoked Fish Co products including Bluefish Pate and Salmon Bacon. You can pre-order at evergreendelivery.bike

We're also excited to welcome:
🥕 Our market sponsor, Codman Square Health Center will be tabling and sharing about the great services they offer to #Dorchester families.
☀️ Our market sponsor, Level Solar will be sharing how you can go solar at no cost, save on your electric bill and make our community more sustainable as part of our joint Greater Ashmont Goes Solar Campaign
💎 Touch of Silva will be selling their custom hand made jewelry, by local artisan Jo-Ann Silva-Winbush

🍅 This and every week, kids of all ages can enjoy coloring, board games, and our new selection of lawn games

We've got another great line-up coming to #PeabodySquare this Friday. This week at the Ashmont Farmers Market:

🥕 For our #FitFridays series, the @[101274305803:274:Dorchester YMCA] will be offering a Fitness Class in #PeabodySquare from 4-5pm. You can RSVP at @[649401851918604:844:Fitness Class in Peabody Square]. Bring water and a towel.

🥕 @[103851159647097:274:Dot Art] is back for this
week's Entertainment Series, providing art and craft making activities for kids of all ages in #PeabodySquare.

🥕 @[127977990574940:274:Spring Brook Farm] of Littleton will be selling heirloom tomatoes, beans, squash, eggs, @[111648425538413:274:Carlisle Honey], preserves, meat, gourmet mushrooms from @[222382001174885:274:Fat Moon] and more!
🥖 @[1703202336573366:274:Fornax Bread Company] will be available with boules, baguettes, baguette, batards, and twists.
🐟 @[182443028616803:274:EverGreen Delivery] will be offering @[173864275958770:274:Red's Best] fish from local dayboat fishermen including Tuna, Striped Bass, Halibut and Scallops as well as @[173688889449359:274:Boston Smoked Fish Co] products including Bluefish Pate and Salmon Bacon. You can pre-order at evergreendelivery.bike

We're also excited to welcome:
🥕 Our market sponsor, @[41594428576:274:Codman Square Health Center] will be tabling and sharing about the great services they offer to #Dorchester families.
☀️ Our market sponsor, @[241117139649598:274:Level Solar] will be sharing how you can go solar at no cost, save on your electric bill and make our community more sustainable as part of our joint Greater Ashmont Goes Solar Campaign
💎 Touch of Silva will be selling their custom hand made jewelry, by local artisan @[100006353594271:2048:Jo-Ann Silva-Winbush]

🍅 This and every week, kids of all ages can enjoy coloring, board games, and our new selection of lawn games

We look forward to seeing you at the market!

***

Many thanks to Greater Ashmont Main Street's Annual Sustainers (the @[48580366030:274:City of Boston]'s @[139697912746557:274:Boston Main Streets] program, the Boston Main Streets Foundation, the @[111908335502021:274:MBTA], and the @[698147543559531:274:Martin Richard Foundation]) and our 2017 Ashmont Farmers Market Sponsors (@[136925439663197:274:Carney Hospital], the @[41594428576:274:Codman Square Health Center], the @[101274305803:274:Dorchester YMCA], @[115741636061:274:Eastern Bank], @[121654657896466:274:Harbor Health Services, Inc.], @[241117139649598:274:Level Solar], @[288477084496128:274:Meetinghouse Bank], @[134789529958446:274:Standish Village], @[108701945820276:274:Trinity Financial], @[139626200020:274:UMass Boston])! Without them, and our amazing team of volunteers, the market would not be possible. ... See more